How to Find Fulfillment while Navigating Wonderhell | with Laura Gassner Otting
Episode 09
On this journey of exploring Brand to Fan, we must pay attention to the founders of the businesses that we are fans of, the people who work behind the scenes to cultivate these brands that we adore and advocate for.
I’ve identified myself as an entrepreneur and founder even more so over the last year, and in doing so, there are a number of authors and experts whom I consider friends. These are people who I admire and listen to, whether following on Instagram or podcasts, or anywhere I can get their words of wisdom and inspiration. They remind me that the founder’s path is 1) not linear and 2) is not necessarily going to get easier or better.
The person who probably screams that in my ear the most, figuratively, is none other than Laura Gassner Otting, a best-selling author, executive coach and keynote speaker.
In our conversation, we dissect the human spirit in the midst of success and why success doesn’t always equal happiness. Laura sheds light on the brilliance of being able to see a better path at work and how we realize that we are part of the problem when we’re not part of the solution.
When it comes to success, Laura shares the three types of people we need in our corner and what to do with the negative voices who, perhaps unintentionally, can keep us from moving forward.
We’re lucky to get a preview of “Wonderhell,” Laura’s new book that delves into the expectations and how they can hang on to what your success is “supposed to” look like. She even drops some insight into the Imposter Syndrome so many of us feel and how more of us live in “Imposter Town” than you might think.
The Guest: Laura Gassner Otting
Known affectionately as a “kick in the ass, wrapped in a hug”, Laura Gassner Otting is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, and executive coach. Her goal is to help people and businesses pull themselves out of a rut and into the next chapter of success AND life fulfillment. Her latest book, Wonderhell, explores the phenomenon of achieving your goals and finding success only to discover it doesn’t bring the happiness you thought it would and how to get out of that cycle.
In this Episode
0:59 - Introducing Laura Gassner Otting
6:34 - Welcome to Wonderhell
11:39 - The drive behind entreprenuership
19:33 - Three types of people you always need in your corner
24:07 - Why so many of us identify with Imposter Syndrome
26:42 - Making bold choices in your career, even when you’re scared
28:25 - Finding your business inside Wonderhell
32:25 - Why we can’t unsee our future success
35:42 - The TL;DR wrap up
What are you a fan of?
I've been wearing this Whoop for like 3 ½ years and I am such a fan. The book is coming out in a month, and so I'm trying to get media-ready. I'm looking at my Whoop, I'm locking in my recovery. It helps me with all my good habits. So I'm a very big fan of living by my Whoop right now.
What is your favorite piece of Fanwear you own?
Oh, gosh! I have a Red Sox baseball cap from 1986. I grew up in Miami, but I have been a fan of the Red Sox since 1986. I moved to Boston in 1993, but there was a boy in my tenth-grade class. His name was Adam, and he was a big Red Sox fan, and I was a big fan of Adam. I had a huge crush on him and he was a fan of the Red Sox. The Red Sox played the Yankees and I watched every game in the World series. Not only do I have a hat from 1986. I have the original Boston Red Sox broken heart. So I feel like I'm a true fan.
Show Credits
Brand to Fan Show is produced by Teague FC and supported by FanWagn
Audio production by Bryan Griggs / Griggs Production
Producers: Kimberly Voorhis, Ashley Ruiz and Carrie Hellbusch
Video Editing by Garrett Teague
And I’m your host, Lauren Teague.